Prosper and love thy neighbour

Ikim Views
By Datuk Nik Mustapha Haji Nik Hassan

The more fortunate should attempt to assist the less fortunate to progress while exploitative mechanisms in all aspects should be minimised and eventually eliminated.

IN our effort to build a stable and dynamic society, we have to adopt the right approach in economic arrangement in line with the principle of “prosper thy neighbour”.
Indeed, this is the right solution to address the economic predicament faced by humanity.
There is a need for everyone to be committed to a principle that individual success and social progress can be attained if everyone works in cooperation and harmony in all economic activities for common prosperity.
This approach insists that there must be a purpose for all in society to achieve economic advancement.
The more fortunate should attempt to assist the less fortunate to progress. Economically, everyone needs each other. The poor definitely require the assistance of the wealthy and vice-versa.

Exploitative mechanisms in all aspects should be minimised and eventually eliminated. Room and space for manipulation should be closed. This applies to all kinds of unethical conduct.
Prosperity should be shared in a just manner if society is to progress. Thus, the basic needs of the less fortunate have to be satisfied. This implies that every member of society has to be above the poverty line. The ability to realise this social justice can be the starting point towards sustainable success.
The Quran has given a clear guideline to mankind that “wealth should not circulate only among the rich”. (Quran 59:7). This guideline places great emphasis on distributive justice where opportunities are made available to everyone without exception.

This healthy environment creates strong motivation for everyone to work and to excel. The natural law of meritocracy will be a motivational force for individuals to excel. At the same, those who succeed should not neglect the less fortunate.
In a lengthy Madinan passage (Quran 2:260-74), the Quran states: “Expenditure on the needy is like a single grain that grows seven ears of corn, each ear containing a hundred or more grains, that those who spend in order to show off or who want recognition from their beneficiaries are like rocks upon which there is a thin layer of earth which is easily washed away by torrential rain”.
The Quran reiterates that “Satan inspires you with (fear of) poverty (for investing in society) and commands you obscenities; God, on the other hand, promises you forgiveness and prosperity (for such investment)”. (Quran 2:268)
God reminds the Muslim that in the absence of concern for the welfare of the poor, even prayers became hypocritical.
The Quran reminds: “Did you see the one who gives the lie to the Faith? It is he who maltreats orphans and works little for the feeding of the poor. Woe betide, then those who pray, yet are neglectful of their prayers – those who pray for show and even deny the use of their utensils (to the poor)”. (Quran 107: 1-7)
Islam, in the clear instruction above, condemns those who propagate a “beggar thy neighbour” approach to social arrangement.

Indeed, the attitude of not helping and not sharing prosperity with others can be a great obstacle not only to spiritual, but also economic, development. This is because subscribing to this principle can lead to social disequilibrium, which ultimately can affect economic and social progress.
The Quran also reminds humanity that civilisation can be destroyed if individuals commit serious vices like economic oppression and exploitation of the poor, political oppression of the poor, and vices of idolatry and permissiveness, as with the people of Noah and Lot.

In a very strong warning, Allah says: “When We want to destroy a town (ie a civilisation), We command its luxurious ones, so they commit unrighteousness in it – and when the judgement becomes ripe upon it, We destroy it utterly.” (Quran 17:16)

In the quest to develop society for the future, Malaysians should try their best to put into practice the principle of “prosper thy neighbour” in economic practices.
Man should work as a team for social betterment and no one should be left out in the development, and no one should be given special preference over the other.

This is where distributive justice should be given priority in economic development, not per capita advancement. In the present materialistic and individualistic society, this seems to be a tall order.
But through the commitment of those in authority, it is possible for all individuals to reject conflict for cooperation. This path requires spiritual and moral enlightenment.

There is no doubt that Islam wants Muslims to establish a political and social order based on fair and moral principles. Islam would like Muslims to realise a moderate society that upholds truth, justice and brotherhood among men.

It is described in the Quran as ummatan wasatan. Such an order should eliminate all corruption on Earth (fasad fi`l-ard) and reform society in all aspects so that the words of God reign supreme.

Thus, the Muslim community, has to go all out in line with the spirit of “command good and forbid evil” (Quran 3:104).

The ability to put into practice all aspects of Islamic principles, including “prosper thy neighbour” in economic organisation, is a holy struggle which requires in-depth knowledge and skill to guide society along the right path.